A collection of photos, art and drawings from Madonna’s early days, is set to go to auction on February 9th in St. Petersburg, Florida.

It is owned by the parents of Martin Burgoyne, an artist and Studio 54 bartender, who died of AIDS in 1986 at age 23. He was also Madonna’s best friend, and the singer wrote the song “In This Life” on her 1992 album Erotica in his memory. According Mary Dowd, co-owner of Myers Fine Art (who is presiding over this auction), said the collection was kept private until now, and now they have come to a part of their lives, that something had to be done with this collection. After the company took a look at the collection, they were fascinated with what was seen, and decided to do the auction.

Included in the collection up for sale, are a set of photos (some of which were taken by Burgoyne), some of which contained Madonna making goofy faces with Burgoyne, as well as black and white photos that were intended for an album cover. Also included is a sketchbook, which includes an inked photo session of Madonna and a full-color sketch for the singer’s Burning Up EP album cover. Dowd had also mentioned that Madonna will hopefully learn of this auction, and bid on some items.

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Ryan Davis is a graduate of California State University, Sacramento, with a Bachelor's in Studio Art, and from American River College with Associate's in fine and liberal arts. In addition to being an artist himself, Davis has studied various types of art history from Asian to Modern Contemporary art. His artwork has also been featured in art galleries in the Sacramento area, where he lives in Elk Grove. Davis can be reached at ryand1913@hotmail.com.